Upcoming Youth Event: Planet Wisdom. Save the date! December 2-3, 2011, Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Join us Wednesday nights in our Solid Rock Ministry. Mike Redig has more information.

Please be in prayer for the following youth and adults for safety, personal spiritual growth, and that God will use them in the lives of those they minister to during their Pawleys Island Mission Trip July 29 to August 8.

Allen Burton Hannah Ginn Nichole Goodrich Kaleigh Greufe Ben Grimshaw Daisy Hegland Devin Hensley Dani Hegland Katie Hinkle Grace Lutter Josh Lutter

Harleigh McKee Haleigh Olsen Macie Reitz Emily Spencer Rachel Steig Rebecca Steig Amanda Gehling Mary Ginn Mitch Hegland Barb Redig Mike Redig

To keep up with the day-to-day activities of these kids, please check out the Daily Updates from the on-the-scene reporters.

Have you ever had a clogged drain pipe? Maybe you were the one to hold the flashlight or get the tools, or maybe you had to do the whole thing. GROSS, what a nasty job. Rotten hair, old deteriorating soap, rotting who knows what else. You get the picture.

I recently had a "fun" clogged drain problem to deal with. It reminded me of just how important it is for us in our walk with Jesus to keep from putting junk into our lives that "clog" up that relationship with Him. When our relationship with Christ is clogged, instead of going to Him for help, we tend to go the opposite direction until we discover that the drain is totally clogged.

So, this summer as we get involved in all of the various activities that change our routine, let us be very careful about putting junk into our lives. Let's keep that relationship clog free! Remember to keep the faith and finish well!

July 31 to August 5 - Missions trip to South Carolina

Solid Rock keeps meeting all summer, Wednesdays, at 7:00 p.m. here at MAC.

Every three years Solid Rock goes on a missions trip. We have been to both the southern border into Mexico as well as up into Canada. This year we are staying in-country, and will be traveling to Pawley Island, South Carolina.

So you may be thinking, "I've been there, what kind of mission trip would you do there?" Yes, Pawley Island is in a tourist area, however, there is a section of town that is neglected and in need of some help. Not only will we be doing various types of construction work on homes, but there is a tremendous need for racial reconciliation which will be orchestrated through a local pastor, and we will be putting on a Vacation Bible School. The dates we will be gone are July 28 through August 8 or 9. So, if you are currently in eighth grade through currently in twelfth and a regular attendee to Solid Rock, there is still room for you to go with us.

The thing about missions trips is that they get us out of our comfort zones, encouraging us to rely on and experience God more deeply and stretch our faith muscles. So, we ask for your prayer support as we prepare, go, and serve.

Mike Redig

Twenty-six youth and adults attended Acquire The Fire in Des Moines on March 4th and 5th. It was a great weekend with excellent speakers, praise and worship, and Christian bands. We always come away from a weekend like this encouraged in our walk with Jesus.

March 25th and 26th was the 30-Hour Famine. Solid Rock youth went hungry for 30 hours to bring awareness of those who have no choice but hunger. Youth asked for pledges for money to be sent to World Vision to help fight hunger and hunger related problems. Did you know that Solid Rock has been sponsoring two students through World Vision for over 10 years and has been able to raise a good sum of money over the years? This is always a very meaningful weekend, and this weekend included a service project to Hope Ministries in Des Moines. Our special guide was Melissa Tagg, former Solid Rock member and daughter of Kenny and Sherrie Tagg.

Solid Rock is planning a summer mission's trip to Pawley's Island, South Carolina, from July 29th to August 8th. Youth 8th grade through 12th grade with a desire to serve are welcome to apply. Group size is limited to 25 students and leaders. A big thank you for all who donated during the Valentine's Bake Sale. Another chance to support the mission trip will be during the Easter Breakfast. Youth will be helping with the clean up after breakfast, and free-will donations are appreciated.

Attention Youth - Zach Svodoba will be ministering with his music at MAC on February 9, 2011, at 7:00 p.m.

• March 4-5, 2011
• First Federated Church
• 4801 Franklin Ave, Des Moines
• See a youth leader to sign up today!

Seminar to include:

• Biblical Teaching - practical application of scripture for everyday life that results in life change.
• Relevant Speakers - living a godly life and successfully navigating the current culture by cutting through the lies that surround us everyday.
• Youth Leader Training - addressing current issues to empower youth workers to bring healing and restoration to the lives of their teens.
• Parent Training - helping parents relate and address the difficult issues that teenagers face. Clear teaching for parenting in a culture that is hellbent on destroying their kids.
• Serious Worship - creating an atmosphere of life-altering, face-to-face time with God.
• Great Bands - bands who play great music AND truly live their lives as ministers of the Gospel.
• Compelling Drama - storylines and characters dealing with the issues our ATF teens experience everyday in their own lives and see in the lives of their friends. They find themselves in the story and see that it is possible to find freedom in Christ.

Youth group members and chaperones attended Planet Wisdom, a weekend youth conference with speakers, skits, videos and music, the first weekend in December. The following are comments and insights from the students about the weekend.

"I was really impressed and impacted by Zach Hunter. He is only two years older than me and yet he could get up in front of 2,000 people and talk. His message was to free the slaves, because there are a lot of slaves today in lots of different places. Including human trafficking, which I learned about at LIFE and while there wanted to do something about it. Zach rekindled that passion to see them all free and loved." - Dani

"This weekend one of the things that stuck out the most was in one of the skits when the man told God he wasn't good enough because he had let God down too many times. God responded by saying that the man hadn't let Him down because had never been holding Him up. It reminded me not to take God for granted because he doesn't need us but he chooses to love us." - Emily

"I learned how we make God smaller than He really is. We need to compare Him to the size He really is. He is omnipotent - all powerful, omnipresent - everywhere, sovereign - in control and omniscient - all knowing. I also learned that just saying you know God or you're a Christian doesn't mean you necessarily know Him by heart." - Nick

"I learned that God is everywhere at once and cannot hide you from him." - Allen

"I learned that God is bigger than some people think. Also that we need to get closer to God. This weekend has taught me more about God's love for us and His passion. God's love is like a never-ending rainbow of joy. I know for a fact that God loves everyone." - Joshua

"I've learned that we think too small of God. He's so much we can't comprehend. There's nowhere we can hide from Him. We can find Him everywhere." - Buster

"This weekend reminded me why I love to go to Planet Wisdom so much to start with." - Rebecca

"To keep God First." - Haleigh

"This was truly a life-changing experience for me. I learned a lot and how God can change people. I say this because I saw all the people who got up on the front of the stage, and at least 3/5 out of everyone in the room wanted to be forgiven for their sins. They wanted to be saved. I almost cried. I felt that Jesus was in the room and getting ready to greet his newfound children. That moved me the most. I've never seen that before, and this is something I NEVER want to forget. I'm moved by Him and I hope God uses me too throughout my life." - Rebekah

"This weekend has been life-changing. Really, really amazing. Not just Planet Wisdom, but the church. Everyone sets such a warm welcoming environment. I've learned Jesus is God. What also really hit me is the video by Zach Hunter about others in less fortunate situations. I really feel compelled to share the greatness of God with my friends and family. I really believe if everyone of Christian faith pursued their duty of a Christian and spread the Word, the world would be filled with God'serving people coming together. Thanks for making this possible for me." - Kaila

"God is so powerful, and there is so much to know about Him that we just don't know about. He knows how He wants us to be, and He is still in progress of forming us and making us like Him." - Jenalee

"Always try to move forward in your relationship with God. Don't be content with where you currently are." - Caleb

"God is someone who has a personality like a human person. We need to get to know Him as a person who has a personality and feelings too." - Grace

"This weekend God showed me that He doesn't make junk. This is important to me because in this day and age it is easy to look down on one's appearance." - Hannah

"The weekend showed me that I need to keep my heart on God. I also learned alot from the skit guys." - Daisy

"It was really encouraging. Wow, there are people who actually care. And they're all listening and learning." - Kaley

"What did this weekend mean to me? This weekend was a drink of water in the desert. It is a warm blanket to the Arctic traveler. This weekend is an encounter with God that rekindles the fire of my soul." - Devin

"I learned to never underestimate God because He is greater than we can ever imagine and will always have surprises for us. I am really wondering how to come closer to God and have a better relationship with Him." - Brittany

"I learned so much more about the extent of God's power and how big He is. It is impossible to shove Him into a box and carry that around. He is omniscient,omnipotent, sovereign and omnipresent. Just thinking about it makes me want to know more. It would never be possible to learn everything." - Haleigh

Who Moved?

The story goes that there was this older couple who had been married for several years. One day as they were out driving, the wife turns from looking out the window and asks her husband, "Why don't we ever sit close to one another when we drive in the car the way we used to?" Well, the husband sits behind the steering wheel, driving down the road for awhile and then says "Who moved? I'm still where I always was." Throughout the Old Testament we go from one king to the other, some who start out well but then finish terribly, or they just plain start out that way - terribly - and get worse as they go. The thing is, God never moved, so who moved? We know the answer to that on our own: we did.

The author of Hebrews in the Bible says that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. The major problem God had with people during the Biblical days was a lack of faith. They so easily would begin to follow other gods, the gods of the people around them. Today, at least around central Iowa, we don't bow down to something and worship some other god. Or do we? As I read the Old Testament it is truly amazing how something written thousands of years ago is still so relevant to our lives today. I'm not going to make a list of things that cause us to "move away" from God, because I trust as you read this the Holy Spirit is revealing that to your heart. Therefore, let us be faithful. let us be a people that seeks the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength!

Let us not be the one who has moved. (Remember your kids are watching!) Solid Rock meets every Wednesday evening here at MAC at 7:00 p.m., see you there!!

Planet Wisdom - A God You Can Know

"God is not generic. He has a name, a personality, and emotions. Through an in-depth look at God's specific attributes, we will discover what God is really like and practical ways we can change the world as we become more like Him." PlanetWisdom.com

I wanted for you to catch a little bit of the heart that this organization has for your teens. They want them to see the world, as well as our society, and what is taking place, from God's point of view and then respond to that message.

What: Planet Wisdom Student Conference
When: December 3-5
Where: Grace Church, Eden Prairie, MN
Who: Eighth graders through high school seniors
Why Even though your student may come to youth each week, they become accustomed to hearing our voices. When we attend an event such as Planet Wisdom, even though it may be the very same thing they we have been saying, they hear it from a different voice in a different place and they respond.
How Much: $120 includes motel for two nights, conference and most meals. (Friday evening and Sunday morning meals NOT included).

Well worth the investment for your teenager. Any questions you can reach me here at MAC, 515-325-6210.

Mike Redig

When I was a kid, my siblings and I went with my parents on vacation to see the Royal Gorge in Colorado. Back then it was basically a bridge over the Arkansas River, plus some other things. This bridge is 1,250 feet above the water below, and there is a railroad that runs along the river. The train looked smaller than a toy from that height.

In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, there stands a building (not just a tower) that stands 2,717 feet. That is over 1/2 mile tall. That's crazy! The pictures are totally awe-inspiring and amazing. It blows my mind just thinking about building such a thing.

Isaiah of the Old Testament saw something even more spectacular, even more awesome, even more awe-inspiring. In Isaiah, Chapter 6, Isaiah saw GOD. He says that he saw GOD high above anything and everything else in Heaven and angels whose only job was to declare the Holiness of God. And as they proclaimed this message, the place shook. In Revelation, Chapter 4, it says that there is lightning and thunder and smoke rising in the presence of God. In Isaiah 6:5, Isaiah says, "Woe to me for I am ruined. For I am a man of unclean lips, and live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.l"

Isaiah understood the Holiness of the Living and true God. He's not a joke, a fairy tale, or a cuss word. He is living and holy, and one day all will stand before Him. The books of Revelation will be opened, and we will be judged as to if our name is or is not in the Book of Life. I remember someone telling me one day that there are no magic words that lead to salvation, otherwise we would all just say them and be on our way. But after we have asked for forgiveness of sin, we then commit our lives to Christ Jesus who shed His blood on the cross on our behalf. (1) Is your name in the Book of Life? Not just because you think you said some magic words; is it there? (2) Are you following Him, desiring to be more and more like Him as well as loving him more?

Come join us at 7:00 p.m. Wednesdays as we discover more and more about this awe-inspiring GOD through His only son, Jesus.

Fifteen students and five adults attended the LIFE Conference in Louisville, KY, in July. It was really good to see God at work in our students and our lives and hear great Bible teachers talk about the theme, Collide. The explanation of the title is... if you were in an automobile accident you would remember that because you were involved in the collision. Afterward, you would be more aware of all the vehicles around you. The same holds true when we let God collide with our lives. We become more aware of His activities, direction, and work within us and around us.

As you return to school, don't forget to return to MAC Youth and Solid Rock here at MAC at 6:55 p.m. Wednesday evenings.

Well, the Redig's are dogless now. Princess, our Great Pyrenees, is buried in the corner of Barb's garden. A person gets attached to their pets,and after having to go and pick her up off the highway, I began to think that "I should have done..." or "I could have done... " And now we are being overrun with raccoons, now that they have figured out there is no dog. The "CORE" problem with Princess was not that she was getting old, or that her hearing was departing, or that she thought "I'm big enough, THEY can move". No, her problem was that at times she loved to WANDER. Oh, she always came back and at times probably even gave the sheriff or town police "the slip". But there is a real problem with wandering; it can lead to death.

Parents, do you have a Princess, prone to wander under your roof? Grandparents, do you have a grandchild who fits the description? Unfortunately, we may, but we are at a loss as to what to do. The funny thing about kids is that more is caught than what is taught. If they are prone to wander, do they know what your priorities are? Well, yes, I guess they do. That may be why they are wandering. I don't know. Our son was "prone to wander", and thanks to some very special people, he no longer does. But one thing he knew was where dad and mom stood. Knowing that Christ Jesus is our Savior and Lord was not up for debate. Going to church, AWANA, and youth group was not up for debate. Why? Because we wanted to be legalistic? NO, not at all. We knew wandering can lead to death.

It never ceases to amaze me when people come to me and want to bring their child to youth for an hour and a half a week and expect me to fix the problem. But the problem started way back when we as parents "WANDER". We wander to the lake on Sunday, we wander to meet with friends, to the ball game, to I'm-too-tired, to the race track, to dance, to .... alright, I'll stop. I know what you're thinking. "You have a problem with LEGALISM". No, my problem is not with legalism, my problem is with students that leave the church and following Jesus and are now WANDERING, because wandering can lead to death. Will you please hear me? I am not an expert, nor do I claim to be, but after twenty some years of doing youth one does see some trends. Your children know what your priorities are. Are Jesus Christ and the things of God a priority to you? It's one thing to think what could I, should I have done about a dog. It's an entirely and eternally different thing when it comes to a person. Wandering can lead to death!

Yesterday I met with a group of Christian and Missionary Alliance pastors for a quarterly meeting. During the course of the meeting and sharing what is going on in our lives and ministries, several mentioned that they are doing some post graduate seminary work online as well as attending actual classes. I was shocked to hear that one of the professors had some very off-the-wall ideas in regards to hell, the ascension of Christ Jesus into Heaven, and I'm sure others as well.

Have we come to such a place in our society that the TRUTH of the Bible, God's Word, is being rationalized even in what we at one time would have considered Bible believing, evangelical seminaries and Bible schools? If we begin to pick and choose because we cannot wrap our human minds around it, where then does it end? "All Scripture is God breathed..." 2 Tim 2:16. "Above all you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation" 2 Peter 1:20. So let us be very careful as to what we hear, and as Scripture states, "TEST" what has been said against God's Word.

Pray for our high school students and sponsors as we attend the LIFE Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, July 4th-11th.

Congratulations to Solid Rock Graduating Seniors: Rachel Hansen, Stephanie Bittner, and Waylon Keller. Congratulations and Best Wishes!

In March, members of the Solid Rock youth group and sponsors participated in the 30-Hour Famine. According to the website www.30hourfamine.org, "World Vision's 30 Hour Famine is a worldwide movement of students who are serious about serving God and fighting hunger -- all on an empty stomach. For 30 hours, participants get a taste of hunger by not eating - something more than a billion people around the world experience every day. And by doing fundraising activities, community service projects, and learning more about the facts of world hunger, students are changed in amazing ways as they help others and save lives."

Here's what some of the students who participated had to say:

"30 Hour Famine taught me how much we take for granted." - Daisy

"30 Hour Famine helped me to see the need for Jesus, even in Iowa. Jesus is needed overseas, but God showed me that He is needed here at the same time." - Jacob

"Being a leader had a different impact than being a student. Being able to teach and lead others showed me that even though I am young, I can still make a difference." - Dani

"Last year I was a student, and I learned alot about Jesus' love for us. This year I was a leader and I was able to help teach others about it." - Grace

"30 Hour Famine really showed me how bad poverty is in a lot of the world. It also showed me how much we can do by just giving some money and not eating for a few hours." - Hannah

"30 Hour Famine was a great experience. Two of the activities we did were very eye-opening. The one that impacted me the most was when we had 29 candles lit, and every seven seconds someone blew out one symbolizing the death of a child from hunger. The other thing was when we went to the homeless shelter. I also learned alot from the movie we saw. It showed the lives of a family suffering through life in India and the lives of the people around them. I like 30 Hour Famine because it shows what it's like to feel hungry while learning and having fun." - Haleigh

On February 26th and 27th, 19 students and sponsors from here at MAC traveled to Des Moines to attend the Acquire the Fire (ATF) youth conference. So as usual, I have asked them to tell briefly about something that impacted them from the weekend.

"At ATF I learned how God is smitten in love with us. He thinks we are just the greatest beings ever." - Hannah Ginn

"At ATF I met a really amazing girl named Destiny. She has her whole mind set on God. She texts me a Bible verse almost every day." - Hillary Hollingshead. (Note: The girl Hillary met goes to our daughter-in-law's brother's youth group and is confined to a wheelchair.)

"I really enjoyed ATF this year. It really helped me to learn how much God really loves me. It made me realize that I need to love Him and His people more than I do. It inspired me to want to show God to more people. I want to share Him with everyone!" - Nicole Tagg

"ATF really made an impact in my life. I'm so beyond happy I went." - Jordyn Carter

"ATF was a great experience. The skit had an amazing message. I had a wonderful time and it helped remind me what is really important." - Emily Spencer (The skit dealt with choices we made and the good vs. evil battle surrounding those choices.)

"At ATF this year I learned the importance of purity and why I need to protect mine and respect the purity of others. I loved ATF because it was a great way to reconnect with God." - Devin Hensley

"At ATF God has impacted me by opening my eyes to show how much he loves me. The weekend really showed me that I need to be a Christian first, then a swimmer. My life doesn't need to revolve around the earthly things." - Rachel Steig

"I learned so many things this weekend. What really hit me the most was that I need to forsake and just plain stop thinking about the things that distract me from putting God first in my life. I also just want to thank all the leaders and everyone that were involved with us being able to go, because ATF was one of the greatest experiences of my life." - Daisy Hegland

"It made me look at boys and relationships different. Made me think before I look and judge people." - Leanne Pitcox

"I liked how the speaker spoke to us. It taught me not to judge people." - Alex Hansen

"That weekend meant a lot to me. I realized that purity is special in His eyes. I would DEFINITELY go again. I never had experienced SO many kids (my age) actually raising their hands and worshipping God so much. It was just so powerful." - Katie Hinkle

"ATF impacted me by teaching me to be more responsible and stand up for others when they are being hurt by others." - Courtney Short

"It impacted me the most when the speaker talked. He really talked in 'teenager' terms so we could understand it a lot better." - Cody Hansen

On March 19 & 20, Solid Rock will be participating in World Vision's 30-Hour Famine. We have been a part of this ministry for a number of years and have found them to be a very credible Christian organization. World Vision helps to provide short-term emergency relief such as food, shelter, and medical care to victims of man-made or natural disasters. They also come alongside on the long term to help communities with needs such as water, agriculture, health care, and education. Thirdly, World Vision helps to provide insight into policy making, public awareness, and a world vision to the needs of the impoverished people of the world around us.

So if you have a high school student approach you asking you to help support World Vision as they take part in the 30-Hour Famine, please give knowing that not only is this organization involved in world hunger and disaster relief, but they also will be taking the good news of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ with them.

LIFE Student Conference, Louisville, KY, July 6-10. Registration now available.

-20, -26, -20, -16, those are some cold temperatures and we are more than likely to complain about them especially the older we get. However, go look out the window for a moment. You see those white crystals laying on the ground, which we call snow? First of all its deep cover over the ground allows for our frigid temps, so you may be angry at it. You can play in it which is fun: snowboarding, snowmobiling, tobogganing, and if conditions are right, you can even build with it.

Go look again -- that glistening white is how GOD sees us if we have asked Jesus Christ to come into our lives and forgive us of our sin.

Matter of fact, in Psalm 51:7, the Bible says that we are cleansed whiter than snow. That's crazy because on a sunny day, you can actually get what is called snow blindness from the brilliance of the snow. But GOD through Jesus sees us as whiter. We all know what it will look like when it begins to melt and turns all dirty and ugly, which is how our sin looks. Why not begin this new year by being washed whiter than snow through the redemptive work of Jesus!

Upcoming event: February 26-27, Acquire the Fire, Minneapolis Convention Center.